U.S. District Judge Haywood Gilliam Jr. on Friday immediately halted the administration's efforts to redirect...

]]>Fri, 24 May 2019 19:07:00 PDTPresident Donald Trump speaks during an event in the Rose Garden at the White House to declare a national emergency in order to build a wall along the southern border, Friday, Feb. 15, 2019, in Washington.]]>Trump moves to revoke transgender health protections put in place by ObamaRicardo Alonso-Zaldivarhttp://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-trump-transgender-health-protections-20190524-story.html
The Trump administration moved Friday to revoke newly won health care discrimination protections for transgender people, the latest in a series of actions that aim to reverse gains by LGBTQ Americans in areas ranging from the military to housing and education.

The Health and Human Services Department...

]]>Fri, 24 May 2019 15:26:00 PDTPresident Donald Trump delivers a statement in the Rose Garden of the White House on May 22, 2019.]]>GOP House rep from Texas blocks $19 billion in disaster relief for flood-ravaged statesAndrew Taylorhttp://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-congress-disaster-aid-bill-20190524-story.html
A House GOP conservative complaining of Washington's free-spending and opaque ways blocked a long-overdue $19 billion disaster aid bill on Friday, extending a tempest over hurricane and flood relief that has left the measure meandering for months.

Texas Republican Chip Roy, a former aide to Texas...

]]>Fri, 24 May 2019 09:30:00 PDTHouse Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif., left, poses during a ceremonial swearing-in with Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, right, on Capitol Hill in Washington.]]>Trump gives AG William Barr new powers to release highly classified information related to Russia probeZeke Miller and Eric Tuckerhttp://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-trump-barr-russia-probe-20190523-story.html
President Donald Trump has granted Attorney General William Barr new powers to review and potentially release classified information related to the origins of the Russia investigation, a move aimed at accelerating Barr's inquiry into whether U.S. officials improperly surveilled Trump's 2016 campaign....
]]>Fri, 24 May 2019 09:22:00 PDTPresident Donald Trump and Attorney General William Barr speak at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on May 15, 2019.]]>Trump may seek to sell arms to Saudis without Congress approvalMatthew Lee and Susannah Georgehttp://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-trump-saudis-arms-sale-20190523-story.html
The Trump administration is considering an emergency declaration that would allow it to make an arms shipment to Saudi Arabia without the approval of Congress, two U.S. officials and lawmakers opposed to the move said Thursday.

The officials say a decision on invoking a national security waiver...

The enmity between President Donald Trump and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi deteriorated Thursday into rude-and-then-some questioning of his fitness for office and her sanity, with personal attacks flowing from...

]]>Fri, 24 May 2019 07:15:00 PDTSpeaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., meets with reporters at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, May 23, 2019. ]]>Pentagon proposing troop reinforcements in MideastLolita C. Baldor and Robert Burnshttp://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-trump-troops-mideast-20190522-story.html
The Pentagon on Thursday was presenting proposals to the White House to send military reinforcements to the Middle East to beef up defenses against Iran amid heightened tensions in the region, acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan said.

Shanahan told reporters the Defense Department has not...

]]>Thu, 23 May 2019 12:16:00 PDTActing Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan, left, and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speak to members of the media after a classified briefing for members of Congress on Iran on May 21, 2019, on Capitol Hill in Washington.]]>Pete Buttigieg says 'it's disgusting' Trump is reportedly considering pardoning soldiers convicted of war crimesJohn Wagnerhttp://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-wp-pete-buttigieg-interview-20190522-story.html
Democratic presidential aspirant Pete Buttigieg said Thursday that he thinks it is "disgusting" that President Donald Trump is reportedly considering pardons for several American military members accused or convicted of war crimes.

Buttigieg, the mayor of South Bend, Indiana, who served in Afghanistan...

]]>Thu, 23 May 2019 09:00:00 PDTActing Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan, left, and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speak to members of the media after a classified briefing for members of Congress on Iran on May 21, 2019, on Capitol Hill in Washington.]]>Judge rejects Trump's effort to block congressional subpoenas for his banking recordsLarry Neumeisterhttp://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-trump-bank-subpoenas-20190522-story.html
A New York judge refused Wednesday to block congressional subpoenas seeking financial records from two banks that did business with President Donald Trump, making it clear it wasn't a close call.

U.S. District Judge Edgardo Ramos said in a ruling delivered from the bench that Trump and his company...

]]>Wed, 22 May 2019 15:20:00 PDTPresident Donald Trump speaks in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington on May 16, 2019.]]>Rep. Lauren Underwood of Naperville clashes with Homeland Security chief over migrant deathsColleen Longhttp://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-lauren-underwood-migrant-children-deaths-20190522-story.html
A Democratic lawmaker from Naperville on Wednesday blamed the Trump administration's border policies for the deaths of migrant children, and the acting head of the Homeland Security Department lashed out at the "appalling accusation."

]]>Mon, 20 May 2019 19:10:00 PDTMichael Cohen, former attorney to President Donald Trump, testifies before the House Oversight Committee on Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019.]]>Trump can't block House subpoena of financial records, judge rulesJessica Greskohttp://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-trump-ruling-subpoena-of-financial-records-20190520-story.html
A federal judge ruled against President Donald Trump on Monday in a financial records dispute with Congress and said lawmakers should get the documents they have subpoenaed. Trump called it a "crazy" decision that his lawyers would appeal.

The ruling by U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta comes amid...

]]>Mon, 20 May 2019 16:20:00 PDTPresident Donald Trump waves after stepping off Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House on May 17, 2019.]]>Trump tells ex-counsel Don McGahn to defy subpoena from House DemocratsMichael Balsamo and Jonathan Lemirehttp://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-trump-don-mcgahn-subpoena-20190520-story.html
President Donald Trump directed former White House Counsel Don McGahn to defy a congressional subpoena, citing a Justice Department legal opinion that McGahn would have immunity from testifying about his work as a close Trump adviser.

Trump's action, the latest in his efforts to block every congressional...

]]>Mon, 20 May 2019 14:35:00 PDTFormer White House counsel Don McGahn.]]>At Fox News town hall, Pete Buttigieg likens Trump's tweets to 'grotesque things'Associated Presshttp://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-pete-buttigieg-fox-news-town-hall-20190519-story.html
Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg jabbed at President Donald Trump during a Fox News town hall Sunday, saying he understands why people and the media are "mesmerized" by his tweets because "it is the nature of grotesque things that you can't look away."

Asked how he responds to Trump's...

]]>Sun, 19 May 2019 18:38:00 PDTDemocratic presidential candidate South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg speaks speaks during a FOX News Channel town hall, Sunday, May 19, 2019, in Claremont, N.H.]]>Trump tells anti-abortion activists to stay united even as he distances himself from Alabama lawDarlene Supervillehttp://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-trump-alabama-abortion-law-20190519-story.html
With Alabama's restrictive new abortion law stirring divisions on the right, President Donald Trump implored anti-abortion activists to stay united heading into the 2020 election even as he laid out where his personal views differ from the legislation.

In a series of tweets posted just before midnight...

]]>Sun, 19 May 2019 18:15:00 PDTPresident Donald Trump arrives to speak at the National Association of REALTORS Legislative Meetings and Trade Expo, Friday, May 17, 2019, in Washington.]]>As U.S.-China trade war continues, there's little indication Trump is paying a political price with Midwest farmersSara Burnett and Scott McFetridgehttp://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-trump-trade-war-midwest-farmers-20190519-story.html
Iowa farmer Tim Bardole survived years of low crop prices and rising costs by cutting back on fertilizer and herbicides and fixing broken-down equipment rather than buying new. When President Donald Trump's trade war with China made a miserable situation worse, Bardole used up any equity his operation...
]]>Sun, 19 May 2019 15:29:00 PDTFarmer Tim Bardole pauses for a photo as he plants a field near Perry, Iowa, on May 22, 2019. Donald Trump won the presidency by winning rural America, in part by pledging to use his business savvy and tough negotiating skills to take on China and put an end to trade practices that have hurt farmers]]>Republican congressman from Michigan accuses Trump of 'impeachable conduct'Darlene Supervillehttp://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-michigan-congressman-trump-impeach-mueller-russia-20190518-story.html
A Republican congressman from Michigan on Saturday became the first member of President Donald Trump's party on Capitol Hill to accuse him of engaging in "impeachable conduct" stemming from special counsel Robert Mueller's lengthy investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election....
]]>Sat, 18 May 2019 16:10:00 PDTMichigan U.S Rep. Justin Amash, shown Feb. 24. 2017.]]>Mnuchin denies House panel's subpoena for Trump's tax returnsMartin Crutsingerhttp://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-mnuchin-subpoena-trump-tax-returns-20190517-story.html
The Trump administration on Friday missed another deadline to produce President Donald Trump's tax returns. A top House Democrat said he expects to take the administration to court as early as next week over the matter.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a letter that he will not comply...

]]>Fri, 17 May 2019 15:52:00 PDTTreasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin gets up after testifying about the budget during a Financial Services and General Government subcommittee hearing on May 15, 2019.]]>Federal appeals court rules against Trump on ending DACAAlan Sudermanhttp://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-federal-appeals-court-trump-daca-20190517-story.html
A federal appeals court ruled Friday the Trump administration acted in an "arbitrary and capricious" manner when it sought to end an Obama-era program that shields young immigrants from deportation.

A three-judge panel of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 2 to 1 that the Trump administration...

]]>Fri, 17 May 2019 09:15:00 PDTPresident Donald Trump participates in a roundtable on immigration and border security at the U.S. Border Patrol Calexico Station in Calexico, Calif. ]]>House approves sweeping bill to expand gay rightsMatthew Dalyhttp://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-house-bill-gay-rights-20190517-story.html
Democrats in the House approved sweeping anti-discrimination legislation Friday that would extend civil rights protections to LGBT people by prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. The protections would extend to employment, housing, loan applications, education,...
]]>Fri, 17 May 2019 09:21:00 PDTIn this May 16, 2019, photo, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif., speaks at the Capitol in Washington.]]>Flynn told Mueller of attempts to influence his cooperation; judge orders parts of Russia report unredactedEric Tucker and Michael Balsamohttp://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-michael-flynn-robert-mueller-russia-investigation-20190516-story.html
Former White House national security adviser Michael Flynn told the special counsel's office that people connected to the Trump administration and Congress sought to influence his cooperation with the Russia investigation, and he provided a voicemail recording of one such communication, prosecutors...
]]>Fri, 17 May 2019 04:58:00 PDTFormer national security adviser Michael Flynn is awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to lying to the FBI.]]>Democratic presidential contender Pete Buttigieg asks if talk about freedom has ‘gone off the rails’ with anti-abortion laws in Alabama and GeorgiaRick Pearsonhttp://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-met-pete-buttigieg-city-club-20190516-story.html
Democratic presidential aspirant Pete Buttigieg accused Republicans of co-opting the terms “freedom” and “security” in the national mindset, and questioned whether talk “about freedom in this country has gone off the rails” following recent laws in Alabama and Georgia that outlaw virtually all...
]]>Thu, 16 May 2019 14:10:00 PDTJoe Biden chooses Philadelphia as 2020 presidential campaign headquartersAssociated Presshttp://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-joe-biden-philadelphia-campaign-headquarters-20190516-story.html
Former Vice President Joe Biden is choosing Philadelphia to base his 2020 presidential campaign, opting for his native Pennsylvania over the state of Delaware that sent him to the Senate for 36 years.

The choice is both practical and symbolic for Biden. Philadelphia is convenient to his homes in...

]]>Thu, 16 May 2019 04:43:00 PDTFormer Vice President and Democratic Presidential candidate Joe Biden speaks to voters on May 14, 2019 in Nashua, New Hampshire.]]>New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio jumps into Democratic race for presidentKaren Matthewshttp://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-new-york-city-mayor-bill-deblasio-2020-president-20190516-story.html
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Thursday that he will seek the Democratic nomination for president, adding his name to an already long list of candidates itching for a chance to take on Donald Trump.

The mayor announced his run with a video released by his campaign, then headed to...

]]>Thu, 16 May 2019 11:32:00 PDTNew York Mayor Bill de Blasio arrives for the official dedication ceremony of the Statue of Liberty Museum on Liberty Island on May 16, 2019, in New York.]]>